Spring Will Come (65 page)

Carrie stepped into the hospital and stared in surprise.

              Pastor Anthony strode up to her, a broad smile on his face.   “I’m so glad you could come, Carrie.  All the patients wanted you to celebrate Christmas Eve with them.  I’m sorry Janie couldn’t be here, but I know she was needed at Chimborazo.”

             
“I’m just glad most of our patients are home celebrating with their families,” Carrie said, smiling.  “Where did all these children come from?”  There were at least ten girls, aged ten to fourteen moving from bed to bed, laughing and talking with the patients.

             
Pastor Anthony looked at them fondly.  “They are some of the girls from my church. They asked if they could come down and cheer up the patients. I helped them all get jobs down at the munitions laboratory down on Brown’s Island.”

             
“They’re just children!” Carrie protested.

             
“I understand how you feel,” Pastor Anthony said.  “But the money they make is helping feed their families.  I go down and spend time with them several times a week to make sure they’re well treated.  I’ve had no complaints so far.”

             
“But after what happened to Opal’s Aunt Fannie...”

             
“That was a horrible accident.  But surely you realize occurrences like that are rare.” Pastor Anthony reached out his hand and touched her shoulder.  “We all must do things we’d rather not in times like these.  The girls will be all right.”

             
Carrie nodded reluctantly, watching the girls move from bed to bed.  Smiles and laughter filled the hospital.  Just then the youngest girl darted over and planted herself directly in front of her.

             
“Hi,” she said, suddenly shy.  “I reckon you be Miss Cromwell - the doctor.”  She looked up admiringly, her chocolate eyes shining. 

             
“Yes, I’m Miss Cromwell.  But you can call me Miss Carrie.”  Carrie was immediately captivated by the little girl.  She bent down to look into her face.  “What’s your name?”

             
“My name be Elvira.  I’m ten!”  She took a quick breath.  “Merry Christmas!”  Then as if embarrassed she had said so much, she darted off again.

             
Carrie laughed.  “What a darling.”

             
Pastor Anthony nodded.  “Her mother was real sick until Elvira started making money to help feed them.  Their father was conscripted to work on fortifications. Without him around, the family was going hungry.”

             
Carrie nodded thoughtfully.  The pastor was right.  All of them were having to do things they would rather not. Still -- her heart hurt when she thought of these beautiful young girls cooped up in the munitions factory for twelve to fourteen hours a day.  She was glad Opal had taken Fannie’s children out to the plantation.  At least they were getting plenty of fresh air and food. 

             
“We’d like to sing you a song, Miss Carrie.  It be your Christmas present.”

             
Carrie had not seen Elvira flash back to stand in front of her.  “I’d like that very much,” she said, smiling.

             
Elvira turned and ran to join the other girls standing in the midst of the beds.  All Carrie’s patients were propped up on pillows, even the sickest ones determined to take part.  An elderly man pulled out a stick and began to beat time against the frame of his bed.  Seconds later their pure voices, harmonizing perfectly, poured forth. 

             
When I was a learner

             
I sought both night and day,

             
I asked the Lord to aid me

             
And he showed me the way. 

             
Go tell it on the mountain,

             
Over the hills and everywhere

             
Go tell it on the mountain,

             
That Jesus Christ is born.

             
Carrie clapped her hands in delight.  “Thank you so much.  That was a wonderful gift.”

             
“That ain’t all they got for you,” Elvira cried.  Evidently she had been made the spokesman for the group.  Everyone else seemed quite content to let the precocious little girl do all the talking.  She grinned and flew to peek under one of the beds.  “There be a surprise for you here, Miss Carrie.  For Miss Janie, too - only she ain’t here.”

             
Mystified, Carrie walked over and leaned down.  Her face split into a smile as she pulled out a large basket full of sweet potatoes.  She knew exactly how much  sacrifice this was for her patients. 

             
“People been bringing sweet taters all week!” Elvira sang out.

             
“She’s right,” Pastor Anthony smilingly confirmed.  “Everyone who had some brought one over.  It was the only way they knew how to say thank you.”

             
Carrie’s heart caught in her throat.  Blinking back her tears, she smiled brightly.  “I think it’s the most wonderful Christmas gift I’ve ever received.  Thank you.”  Suddenly the memories of past Christmases with their elaborate celebrations faded away.  The basket in her hands represented a sacrificial act of love.  “I’ll never forget this,” she whispered.  “Thank you so much.”

             
It didn’t take Carrie long to do her rounds; most of the patients still there would soon be able to go home.  A few new cases of pneumonia had been brought in, but taking everything into consideration, the blacks along the river were doing well.  Carrie felt a deep sense of satisfaction as she called Merry Christmas to her patients and left.

             
Pastor Anthony walked her out to the carriage where Spencer was waiting.  “You feel all right going home alone?”

             
“I’m not really alone,” Carrie laughed, patting the pistol tucked into her waistband.  She looked into the kindly pastor’s eyes.  “I’m sorry you won’t be joining us for Christmas dinner tomorrow, but I’m glad you’re going to spend time with your son.”

             
“He’s a good boy,” Pastor Anthony responded.  “We’ve shared a lot of Christmases together.  Adopting him was the best thing my wife and I ever did.”

             
“Jeremy is adopted?”

             
“Yes.  My wife and I tried for years to have children, but we never could.  Finally the Lord gave us Jeremy.  He’s been such a joy.  I don’t know that I would have survived Elizabeth’s death without him.”

             
“I’m so glad you have him,” Carrie said warmly.  A part of her wondered why the pastor had never remarried, but it was certainly none of her business.  She turned to climb into the carriage then hesitated.  “Your son reminds me so much of someone.”

             
“Oh? Who is that?” 

             
“I don’t know,” Carrie admitted with a wry laugh.  “I just feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before.”  She shook her head.  “I may figure it out one of these days.”

             
As Spencer urged the horse up the hill, Carrie wondered at the sudden shadow that had cloaked Pastor Anthony’s eyes. 

             
Laughter and loud voices reverberated through the building.  Rose watched the children dashing around excitedly.  A wide smile brightened her face as adults laughed and sang, their happiness a tonic to her own loneliness.   The smell of greenery pervaded the building, mixed with the aroma of turkeys and ham cooking just outside the door.  Tables groaned under the weight of vegetables, biscuits and sweet potato pies.  Everyone had brought something.  This was the first time in the months Rose had been in the camps that everyone was celebrating together.  The building bulged at the seams as people swarmed in and out, but no one seemed to mind.  They were free.   And it was Christmas Eve.

             
Tonight there was nothing but goodwill.  The white teachers mingled easily with the inhabitants of the camp, led games for the children, and talked with the adults.  Even some of the soldiers had asked if they could take part in the festivities.  Rose smiled as she spied one soldier playing horse and laughing harder than the children as they piled all over him and shrieked as he bucked them off. 

             
“Miss Rose!  Miss Rose!” 

             
Rose turned quickly and caught Annie up in her arms.  “What’s wrong?” she asked in sudden alarm then relaxed as she saw the excited gleam in the little girl’s eyes.  There was no hint of trouble.

             
“Ain’t nothing wrong,” she insisted as she squirmed out of Rose’s arms.  “I got a surprise for you!”

             
“What kind of surprise?”  Rose asked, smiling again.  Her students had plied her with gifts in the last week.  Last night she had told June she might not have to cook again for a month.

             
“You got to come outside for your surprise,” Annie announced importantly.

             
Rose followed her willingly.  She was ready for some fresh air after the closeness of the building.  The sun had barely been up when she had arrived to help the other teachers finish the preparations.  She took deep breaths, instantly revived by the cold, crisp air.  “Okay.  I’m out here.  Where’s my surprise?” she cried, entering into the game.

             
Annie clapped her hands in delight.  “Your surprise be right there!” she giggled, pointing into the shadows underneath a spreading oak tree.

             
Rose looked in the direction she was pointing but couldn’t see anything.  “Where?”

             
“You got to walk over closer, Miss Rose.  You’ll see it!”

             
Rose was mystified but did as ordered.  She was almost to the tree when a towering form stepped out from the shadows. 

             
“Merry Christmas, Rose.”

             
“Moses!”  Rose shrieked wildly, not caring who heard.  “Is it really you, Moses?”  Dashing forward, she threw herself into his arms.  “Moses!”  It was all she could think of to say. 

             
Moses held her close just for a moment then pulled back.  “Rose... What...?”

             
Rose understood instantly.  She took hold of his hand and laid it gently on her stomach.  “I’d like you to meet your child,” she said softly, tears gathering in her eyes at the stunned look on his face.

             
Moses stood motionless for a long moment; then a wide grin conveyed his happiness.  He cupped her stomach with both hands.  Just then the baby gave a strong kick.  His face lit with wonder as he stared down.   Finally he looked up, his expression one of awe.  His hands left her stomach and moved up to caress her face.  “I love you,” he whispered.  Then his lips came down to meet hers. 

             
Rose had just pulled back to gaze up into his face again when another voice split the darkness.

             
“I guess this means I’m going to be a great-aunt.  I kind of like the sound of that.”

             
Rose gasped and spun around.  “Aunt Abby…?  Aunt Abby?” she asked incredulously.  “How...?”

             
“Oh, we’ll have time for questions later,” Aunt Abby chuckled.  “Right now I’d settle for a hug if you can tear yourself away from your husband long enough.”

             
Rose gave a glad cry and rushed to wrap her arms around the smiling woman.  Tears were streaming down her face when she pulled away.  “Right now I don’t care a bit how either one of you got here.  I’m just so happy you’re here!”  Moses moved over and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders.  “How long can you stay?”

             
“Three days,” Moses replied.  

             
Rose looked toward the building when she heard a distant cry.  “Moses!”  June was running down the stairs. 

“I think June just saw you,” she laughed.  “Let’s go in.  I imagine you both are hungry.  We’ll have plenty of time to talk later
, and I’d like you to meet everyone.”  From within the warmth of Moses arm, she reached out and encircled Aunt Abby with her free arm.  “There is so much I want to show you, Aunt Abby.”  She shook her head, still trying to believe they were actually there.  “How...?”

             
Aunt Abby merely shook her head.  “I said there would be time for questions later.  I have plenty of my own, you know.  It’s Christmas Eve.  Let’s go celebrate.”

             
Just then, June raced up to them, her joyful laugh ringing through the cold air.  Moses released Rose long enough to give June a big hug then turned immediately back to his wife, his eyes traveling to her stomach.  “What...?”

             
Rose held up her hand, laughing.  “You should at least introduce your sister to Aunt Abby.”  She laughed harder at the instant remorse on his face.  Quickly she made the introductions, glad to see Aunt Abby immediately encircle June’s waist. 

             
“Why don’t we go inside and leave the lovebirds together for a little while?” Aunt Abby said in a conspiratorial tone.  “Will you introduce me to some of your friends?”

             
Rose watched the two women amble inside then turned to Moses.  He was still gawking at her stomach, his eyes wide with wonder.